March 30, 2010
Box Score
DAVIS, Calif. - The UC Davis baseball team scored a run in the final inning to take a 5-4 lead over Saint Mary's Tuesday in a nonconference matchup at Dobbins Stadium.
UC Davis improves to 12-9 on the season while Saint Mary's now stands at 7-13-1 overall.
Entering the bottom of the ninth, the score was tied at four runs apiece. Justin Schafer, who went 4-for-5 on the day, hit a single to left field to reach first base, then advanced to third on a hit by Daniel Cepin and a throwing error by Saint Mary's shortstop Drew Fisher. David Popkins then hit a ground ball to second base, which allowed Schafer to score the winning run.
The Gaels jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning after Nathan Slater gave up a walk and a double to start the inning. Troy Channing then singled up the middle to bring home two runners.
UC Davis would tie the score in the bottom of the second. Scott Lyman and Kyle Mihaylo hit back-to-back doubles to start the inning, which allowed Lyman to score, then a sacrifice bunt from Paul Politi advanced Mihaylo to third base. Scott Heylman's RBI single to right field brought home Mihaylo to tie the score at two runs apiece.
Saint Mary's put up a run in the third and fourth innings to take the lead back, but UC Davis cut the Gaels' advantage to just one run when Eric Johnson hit a sacrifice fly to score Scott Heylman in the bottom of the fifth inning.
UC Davis scored the equalizer in the seventh inning. Schafer reached base on a single to left center field, then advanced to second on a Saint Mary's fielding error. Johnson's sacrifice bunt allowed Schafer to move to third base and he scored the tying run off a passed ball.
The UC Davis pitching staff would hold Saint Mary's scoreless through the rest of the game. Sean Watson pitched two no-hit innings in the sixth and seventh innings and was replaced by Scott Heinig in the eighth. Heinig gave up two hits, but did not allow a run. Freshman CJ Blom entered the game in the ninth inning with a runner in scoring position, but led the Aggies out of the inning to set up the ninth inning heroics.
Mihaylo went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run.
UC Davis opens Big West play Thursday at Cal State Fullerton in a 6 p.m. matchup.
